Seafood has always been part of Ireland’s story. From small fishing villages to modern export businesses, the industry continues to play a big role in our coastal communities and in the national economy.
Seafood Processing, Value-added Products and Seafood Services
Processing turns fresh fish into ready-to-eat meals, premium products, and exports enjoyed worldwide. From filleting and packaging to smoking mackerel or preparing fish pies, this work keeps Ireland’s seafood reputation strong. These products increase the value of the catch, support exports, and highlight Ireland’s reputation for quality and innovation.
The industry is expanding into new markets—seaweed-based ingredients, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and more innovative applications—creating fresh opportunities in product development, research, quality assurance, and marketing. Beyond processing, there are service roles in quality control, logistics, cold storage, and distribution—making sure seafood gets safely from coast to customer.
| Seafood Processing – Check it, Prep it, Pack it, Sell it!
Filleted whiting and hake, canned mackerel, mussels cleaned & packed |
| Value-Added Products –Create it, Design it, Seal it, Sell it!
Seafood Soup/dips, breaded whiting/haddock goujons, omega-3 supplements |
| Seafood Services –Store it, Inspect it, Move it, Sell it!
Cold-chain delivery (keeping seafood fresh from port to plate), quality checks for safety and sustainability, marketing & retail in shops and supermarkets |
What’s in Our Waters?
Ireland is lucky to have some of the richest fishing grounds in Europe. Our Atlantic waters provide a wide variety of fish, including haddock, hake, cod, plaice, mackerel, and herring. Shellfish such as prawns, mussels, and oysters are also especially valuable, with oyster farming thriving in places like Galway, Carlingford, and Donegal.
To protect these natural resources, Ireland follows strict fishing quotas and sustainability rules under the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy. This ensures that future generations will continue to benefit from healthy seas.
From Catch to Plate
Seafood processing in Ireland is a mix of tradition and innovation. While smoking salmon or curing fish remains a craft in many towns, modern facilities now handle everything from filleting and freezing to canning and packaging ready-to-eat meals. Processing plants are spread across coastal counties such as Donegal, Cork, Galway, and Kerry, where they provide much-needed jobs.
Irish seafood is prized abroad, especially for its freshness and quality. Smoked salmon and shellfish, in particular, are highly sought after.
Where Does It Go?
Seafood from Ireland reaches dinner tables across the world. Our main markets include the UK, France, Spain, and Italy, with growing demand in Asia and North America. Exports are worth over €600 million every year, making seafood one of the most valuable parts of Ireland’s agri-food sector.
Employment
Ireland’s seafood processing sector provides over 3,200 jobs, mainly in coastal towns and cities with processing plants, cold storage, and distribution hubs. Major facilities in counties like Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, and Waterford employ thousands in processing, quality control, and seafood service roles.
Technology and Innovation
Ireland’s seafood processing sector is embracing cutting-edge tech and EU-backed projects, supercharging automation, energy efficiency, and product innovation. Robotics, AI, and smart automation are speeding up production, taking over repetitive tasks, and freeing people to focus on creative, high-value work—making the sector fast-growing and full of exciting career opportunities.
Challenges
The industry is not without its difficulties. Changing fish quotas, the effects of climate change on stocks, and competition from other countries all put pressure on Irish fishers and processors. Meeting international sustainability standards, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, is also essential for keeping Ireland’s reputation strong.
Brexit has been one of the biggest challenges in recent years, creating new trade barriers and reducing some of Ireland’s fish quotas. To help the industry adapt, Ireland is using the EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) to fund modernisation, diversification, and resilience projects. This investment is vital to secure the future of seafood in Ireland.
Government Support
To keep the sector competitive, the Irish government—working through agencies like Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)—offers funding for innovation, training, and sustainability projects. Investment has gone into upgrading ports, modernising processing facilities, and supporting new technology like digital tracking for supply chains.
Schemes and Initiatives
The Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme gives grant funding to Irish seafood businesses and new entrants to help them modernise and grow. Its aim is to add value to Irish seafood, reduce costs and emissions, improve quality, and build a stronger, more sustainable industry. It supports investment in new equipment, greener technology, safer processes, and new product ideas. The scheme is run by BIM and funded by the Irish Government and the EU.
Taste the Atlantic – A Seafood Journey is a project showcasing Ireland’s seafood and coastal communities along the Wild Atlantic Way. From Malin Head in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, it celebrates fresh, sustainable seafood, supports local businesses and jobs, and invites people to experience Ireland’s seafood culture—from fishing and aquaculture to tourism and hospitality. This initiative is a collaboration between BIM and Fáilte Ireland.
